Warm, dry weather at last!

13 volunteers arrived at the West Beckham Old Allotments on a day where heat and high humidity were promised by the Met Office. The start time of 9.00am allowed about 2 hours of work for some of us who are getting on a bit and perhaps not quite so used to the manual work involved on a Felbeck Trust session. Trevor outlined the tasks required and his familiar high energy approach to the work ensured we all were motivated to keep up the momentum.  Hydration was essential and the coffee and doughnuts at 10.30 provided an opportunity to seek some shade from the sun. 

Peter R had undertaken a mechanical cut about two weeks ago.  In the intervening period, the unrelenting downpours of rain had resulted in the underside of the swathes becoming a sticky mass of slimy vegetation. We were faced with two lines of long grass to rake and stack in a couple of heaps on the perimeter. Rakes were good, forks better but eventually all was cleared. A return will take place in the near future to cut, rake and stack the rest of the grass areas.

Brian took to a scythe to free up the tangle of long grass under the perimeter hedge with Val and Vision trimming around the whips.  John undertook the job of placing the protective tree guard around the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee tree.  And Alan saw the tail end of a slow worm – a first for WBOA!

The site looked peaceful as the grasses swayed in the breeze.  It is a most attractive site, full of meadow flowers but, sadly, without the number of insects and butterflies normally expected in mid-July.  This was only my second Felbeck Trust work party and I am pleased to have found a group of such knowledgeable, amiable, enthusiastic and hard-working folk.  It is a pleasure to participate.  I would encourage anyone interested in the maintenance of wild areas, to consider volunteering with the Trust.

Biddy Fisher

July 19 2024